adjusted unemployment rate rose sharply in April by 0.7 percentage
point to 7.9 percent, analysts with the state Department of Labor and
Industry reported today.

The commonwealth's most recent jobless rate topped all seasonally adjusted unemployment rates of the 1990-92 recession and was the highest since November 1985, when it was also 7.9 percent.
In April, the state's civilian labor force, the estimated number of Pennsylvania residents working or available for and seeking work, declined 47,000 to 5.939 million, the lowest level since September 1991.
Resident employment also was down in April. Falling 89,000 to 5,469,000, employment among Pennsylvania residents was at its lowest level since March 1991 when workers numbered 5,467,000. Employment in March 1991 remains the low point of the recession.
Like the rate, the volume of those unemployed in the commonwealth rose substantially in April. Up 42,000 to 470,000, the level of joblessness in April was highest level of the recession, and the highest since the 488,000 reported in June 1985.
In April 1991, Pennsylvania's civilian labor force, seasonally adjusted, totalled 5.94 million, when resident employment was 5.53 million and unemployment was 410,000 and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.9 percent.
Meanwhile, early results from a different survey, one based upon employer payrolls rather than households, show that total nonagricultural wage and salary jobs were up 40,100 to 5.03 million in April.
Throughout the service-producing sector, job levels rose by 27,000 since March to 3.87 million. All industries shared in the gain, with major increases posted in service industries (plus 15,200) and retail trade (plus 8,500).
In the goods-producing sector, payrolls increased by 13,300 in April, primarily due to a springtime boost in construction (plus 12,000). Only nondurable goods industries (minus 1,400) showed a decrease in their job numbers since March.
On a year-to-year comparison, net job losses of 15,800 in the service-producing industries and 34,700 in the goods-producing industries combined for a total nonagricultural wage and salary job decline of 50,100 since April 1991.
PA (SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)(A) APR. 1992 MAR. 1992 APR. 1991
Labor Force 5,939,000 5,986,000 5,938,000
Employment 5,469,000 5,558,000 5,528,000
Unemployment 470,000 428,000 410,000
Rate 7.9 pct. 7.2 pct. 6.9 pct.
(U.S. Rate) 7.2 pct. 7.3 pct. 6.6 pct.
PA (UNADJUSTED) APR. 1992 MAR. 1992 APR. 1991
Labor Force 5,915,000 5,901,000 5,911,000
Employment 5,448,000 5,451,000 5,507,000
Unemployment 467,000 450,000 404,000
Rate 7.9 pct. 7.6 pct. 6.8 pct.
(U.S. Rate) 7.1 pct. 7.7 pct. 6.5 pct.
(A) Seasonally adjusted figures attempt to "filter out" the labor market fluctuations which are caused by normal seasonal patterns. With these recurring patterns removed, the data provide a more accurate account of general economic trends.
For additional information on the April Pennsylvania employment data, contact the Labor and Industry Press Office. Local and regional information for March is available from Labor and Industry's regional labor market analysts. Regional analysts' names and phone numbers may be obtained from the nearest state Job Center or from the L&I Press Office at 717-787-7530.
/delval/
-0- 5/8/92
/CONTACT: Jack McGettigan of the Department of Labor and Industry, 717-787-7530/ CO: Department of Labor and Industry ST: Pennsylvania IN: SU: ECO

KA -- PH006 -- 8013 05/08/92 10:26 EDT

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